Tool



May 18,y 1943 E. C. NEAL TOOL . "Filed Nov. 8, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l May 18, 1943 E. C. NEAL 2 Sheets-Slieet 2 Filed Nov'. 8, 1940 Patented May 18, 1943 i TOOL Ernest Cj. Neal, Chicago, Ill., assignor, by direct and mesne assignments, to John A. Marzall,

Chicago, Ill., as trustee Application November 8, 1940, Serial No. 364,766 claims. gol. soc-,27)

This invention relates to a tool, and particularly to a tool of the heavy duty type where great strain, stress and leverages are applied. More specifically, Ithe invention relates to a pickax, grub hoe, or other similar article. f

The primary object of the present invention is to :provide a tool of the heavy duty type provided with new and improved means for securing-the handlein position so as to secure the tool and handle ytighltly together and to permit tightening of the tool with respect to the Ihandle, whereby the manipulation of a nut or bolt may take up any play which may occur between the tool and the handle so that the handle is always secured tightly and rigidly to the tool.

Another important object of the invention consists in providing a tool with a closed end whereby fthe tool handle may be applied sidewise in posiltion in the tool instead of longitudinally, there being means provided for locking the handle tightly and securely in position with respect to the tool proper.

Another important obj ect of the invention consists in the provision of a tool, such as a pickax,

grub hoe, or Ithe like, whereby the end of the tool is closed, there being an opening at the side of the tool to receive a handle which is secured in locked position by means of a removable plate or clamp having intertting engagement on one end with the body of the tool and having tightening and clamping engagement at its other end by means of a bolt and nut construction.

A further object of the invention consists of a new and improved ftool whereby the handle'is applied in an open side, the sible :being clampingly locked in position whereby the handle is securely locked and capable of being tightened by the manipulation of a bolt or nut.

A still further object of the invention consists in the pnovision of a tool having a side opening therein closed by a member to. :clamp the handle tightly in place, the tool being constructed so that it may be quickly and readily forged.

A further oibject of the invention is to provide a new and improved tool, such as a pickax, grub hoe, or the like, whereby danger of the tool slipping on the handle or becoming disengaged from the handle is entirely eliminated, thereby making the tool safe for use.

A still further object of the invention consists in the provision of a new and improved tool having a socket constructed in a particular manner to receive a particularly congurated handle whereby the parts will be lockingly received and adapted to be adjustably maintained in locked position.

Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent throughout the 4progress of the following specication.

The accompanying drawings illustrate certain 'selected embodiments of Ithe invention, and the views therein are as follows:

Fig. 1 is a detail end elevation of the improved Y tool; l

Fig. 2 is a detail side view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a detail end view looking in the `direction of the arrows 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2j-

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is Ia detail sectional view showing the manner in which the tool head is made so as to facilitate ready forging thereof;

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view on the line 1--1 of Fig. 6; v

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 but showing the locking ears :bent inwardly for co-operation with the clamp;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Figs. 7 and 8, showing the clamping plate in position and lockingly receiving a handle; g

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing the manner in which the head may be operated by a forging operation through the end instead of at the side; 1

Fig. 11 is a detail sectional view of a modied form of tool for use with a straight handle instead of Ithe conventional tapered handle;y and g Fig. 12 is a detail sectional view on the line I2-I2 of Fig. 1l.

The particular tool selected to illustrate the invention comprises a pickax I having a body 2 from one side of which there extends integrally a pointed member or pick 3. A tool end 4, in the form of an ax portion, extends from the side opposite the pick 3 and is integrally formed with the body 2. The body 2 is provided with an open side 5 to receive a handle 6. The opening 5 is closed at one end by an end plate 'I which is integrally formed with the body 2. The open side 5 of the body is adapted to be closed by a removable plate 8 which has its side or edge 9 extendingbeneath a lug Il) formed integral with the part 4 of the tool. The plate 8 is resilient, and is thickened, as indicated at II, Fig. 4, and is provided with a recess I2 to receivean extension I3 extending inwardly from the part 3 and integral with the body 2. The end I4 of the closure member or clamp 8 extends longitudinally of the tool a predetermined distance and has an aperture I5 in alinement with an aperture I6 formed in the body 2 t0 receive fastening means in the form of a bolt I'I. The head I8 of thevbolt, Fig, 4, engages a seat I9 formed on the plate 8 and is preferably constructed so as to prevent turning movement of the bolt when the nut 2l] on the-threaded end 2| Vof the bolt is operated. If desired, a lock washer 22 may be positioned beneath the nut 20, there being a seat 23 provided so that the washer 22 on the underside of the nut 20 may seat firmly against the body of the tool.

The opening 5 is at one side of the tool head and is of such a shape and construction so as to strengthen the tool properly and at the same time permit it to be quickly and readily forged. The interior cavity or opening of the body is provided with thickened bulging or projection members 24 in the form of solid protuberances on opposite ends thereof, which co-operate with cut-outs 25 formed in the handle 6. The handle receiving opening on body member 2 is longer in its normal vertical direction than it is wide so as to prevent turning movement of the handle within the body. The protuberances 24 co-operate with the recesses 25 in the handle so as to prevent longitudinal movement of the handle with respect to the'tool.

The tool l is adapted to be forged through the side thereof by means of a pressure die or hammer co-operating with a holding die, and so constructed that the die may be quickly and readily removed out of the opening; and, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, vertical ears 26 extend upwardly relatively vertically, or slightly inclined to the vertical, to permit proper and quick forging of the tool. These ears 26 are adapted to be later turned over to provide the attaching ears or parts I0 and I3, as indicated in Figs. 4, 8, and 9. Figs. 10 to 12, inclusive, disclose the pickax whereby the forging operation is performed through the head at one end thereof instead of at the open side. Fig. l0 discloses a construction substantially similar to that shown in Fig. l1, but is adapted to receive the conventional tapered handle 6, while Fig. 11 discloses the body 2 constructed to receive a relatively straight handle 6. However, the manner in which the handle is clampingly received in the tool and locked by the plate 8 is substantially the same regardless of whether the forging operation is performed through an open side or through an end.

The inner periphery of the tool at the handle engaging portion thereof may be provided with protuberances, serrations or ribs which are adapted to be pressed into the wooden handle to receive the handle lockingly in position, whereby all danger of the handle becoming detached from the tool is prevented.

The invention provides a tool whereby the head is prevented from becoming loose from the handle, and because of the closed end the head is prevented from sliding along the handle as occurs in conventional devices. particular construction of the head co-operating with a particular type of handle construction prevents both twisting and longitudinal movement of the handle with respect to the head. Also, during use, where the handle may become loose with respect to the head, the parts may be drawn into tight locking engagement by merely tightening the nut 20.

The invention contemplates devices other than pickaxes or grub hoes, and further anticipates different types of means for the particular bolt construction I1, herein specifically disclosed.

The present pickax is rigid and durable in construction, is capable of being readily and eco- Moreover, the 'i usage, the clamping member may be tightened so as to compensate for such shrinkage or wear, thereby providing means for maintaining the tool and the handle in proper tight position.

Changes may be madein the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacri ,cing any of its advantages, and the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims. i

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A tool comprising a tool head having a side opening therein, a handle adapted to be received sideways into said opening, a member for closing said opening, means for drawing the member into locking engagement with the handle, and means within said opening having a cam surface thereon extending toward the handle, whereby the handle is laterally wedged in place when said member is drawn into locking engagement therewith.

2. A tool comprising a tool head having a side opening therein, a handle adapted to be received sideways into said opening, a member for closing said opening, means for drawing the member into locking engagement with the handle, a recess in a portion of the handle within the opening, a protuberance on said tool head within the opening for reception in said recess, said protuberance having a surface thereon adapted to exert a lateral wedging action against the handle when said member is drawn into locking engagement with the handle.

3. A tool comprising a tool head having a side opening therein, a handle adapted to be received sideways into said opening, a member for closing said opening, means for drawing the member into locking engagement with the handle, and a longitudinally convex protuberance within said opening, said protuberance providing a surface against which the handle is laterally wedged when said member is drawn into locking engagement therewith.

4. A tool comprising a tool head having a cavity and a side opening therein, a handle adapted to be received sideways into said opening and cavity, an end wall integrally connected with the side walls of said cavity and providing for reinforcing the head at said side opening, a member for closing said opening, means for drawing the member into locking engagement with the handle, and means within said opening having a cam surface thereon extending toward the handle, whereby the handle is laterally wedged in place when said member is drawn into locking engagement therewith.

5. A tool comprising a tool head having a side opening therein, a handle adapted to be received sideways into said opening, a member for closing said opening, means for connecting one end of said member to said head and providing a fulcrum for swinging movement of the member towards the handle, means at the other end of said member for drawing the member into locking engagement with the handle, and means within said opening having a cam surface thereon extending toward the handle, whereby the handle is laterally wedged in place when said member is drawn into locking engagement there with.

ERNEST C. NEAL. 

